Donald Trump has made a splash by his differing responses to the legal difficulties of two heavyweights in Brazilian politics. He remained quiet as the leftist leader Lula da Silva was imprisoned in 2018. Now, he has turned around and vocally condemned the ongoing prosecution of ally and far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro. This major divergence puts into question Trump’s true motivations and what the consequences of his responses would be in the context of American international affairs.
In early 2018, Lula da Silva, the charismatic founding leader of Brazil’s Workers’ Party, was sentenced to jail on corruption charges. Throughout that period, Trump remained conspicuously quiet about Lula’s plight. This was regarded by many as the most important political event in Brazil’s contemporary history. Yet Trump has nothing to say about Lula’s jailing. This is a striking reversal from his ostentatious support for Bolsonaro, who now finds himself under legal investigation for misuse of power during his presidency.
As Bolsonaro’s prosecution plays out in Brazil, Trump calls it a “witch hunt.” Trump is incensed at the criminal charges brought against his political friend. Lula’s vice president, Geraldo Alckmin, has similarly blasted the politically motivated prosecutions of Bolsonaro. In his case, he thinks the former president is being persecuted, not prosecuted, because of his extreme political ideology and party allegiance. This famous and sustained spoken defense was the diametric opposite of Trump’s previous silence towards Lula’s imprisonment.
The contradiction in Trump’s responses is telling and raises key questions about the political priorities and alliances of the President. Lula da Silva’s imprisonment marked a critical moment in Brazil’s political landscape, and Trump’s lack of engagement at that time suggests a selective approach to international political issues. In contrast, his current loud denunciation of Bolsonaro’s prosecution may reflect a desire to maintain strong ties with right-wing leaders globally.
This situation highlights the broader implications of Trump’s responses, which can influence perceptions of international relations and political dynamics within Brazil. As the legal proceedings against Bolsonaro continue, the impact of Trump’s outspoken support could resonate beyond Brazil’s borders, potentially affecting diplomatic relations with other nations.
